Castell Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen Castle

Image: © Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff Taken: 27 Dec 2007

This is the gatehouse with part of the curtain wall to the left, the principal remaining section of Carmarthen's Norman castle which was built on a commanding eminence above the river. The castle dates from the turn of C12 and was quickly taken over by the crown as an administrative base. Repairs were frequently needed after destructive attacks on it by Welsh warlords: Llewelyn Fawr captured it in 1215 and Owain Glyndwr in 1405, following which the gatehouse was constructed. The castle then became the possession of Henry Tewdwr, father of Henry VII, as the royal representative in this part of Wales. In the C18 it became the county gaol and subsequently most of the structure was subsumed into the building of the prison and later the County Hall. What was left became neglected but recent restoration has resulted in this part being opened up to Nott Square, where the original town market was held. It is possible once again to get some idea of the power and threat that such an edifice must have imposed upon the local population, and how strongly the invaders needed to defend themselves.

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